Gary Cooper and Charlton Heston star in The Wreck of the Mary Deare. Heston plays John Sands a salvage expert, who finds the ship, The Mary Deare adrift. He goes aboard and finds only the first officer Gideon Patch, played by Gary Cooper. He finds out from Patch, that there was a fire, and the crew abandoned ship, except for Patch, who believes that it was deliberate. Sands tells him that he wants to salvage the ship, and attempts to go back to his vessel. He is unable to make it back, and Patch saves his life, in a dramatic rescue. When Heston’s character is back on The Mary Deare, Patch scuttles the ship, so it can’t be sunk. Sands and Patch take a lifeboat to shore, and prepare for a board of inquiry, regarding the ship. During the inquiry, it is discovered that Patch’s license is in jeopardy, because of a similar incident. Also when questioned, his story and theory about the ship don’t hold up. When a plane discovers that The Mary Deare is scuttled, the inquiry is dissolved. Later Patch and Sands dive to The Mary Deare to explore the cargo hold, and find that it was empty, proving Patch’s theory, which is what he wanted all along.
The movie itself isn’t the best, but it is great to watch two screen legends performing together. Charlton Heston and Gary Cooper’s characters have bonded together with their similar occupations, and their mutual trust. Cooper always had a certain type of acting style, that works well with Heston’s. He shows Patch’s discomfort in court while being questioned, because he is only operating on a theory. Charlton Heston does well playing Sands especially when he shows disgust, after he finds out about Patch’s maritime record in court. Heston isn’t overshadowed by Gary Cooper, but his role isn’t in an epic film, where he is the star.
The scene in this film that makes it watchable is the rescue scene. Charlton Heston’s character, John Sands is trying to get back to his ship, but is losing his grip on the rope. Gary Cooper’s character, Gideon Patch, secures his rope and pulls Sands up to The Mary Deare. It’s a very intense scene. The director responsible for this scene was Michael Anderson. He gives good shots of Heston exploring the Mary Deare, as well as the opening scenes when the ship is spotted in stormy seas.
The Wreck of the Mary Deare is a testament to both Gary Cooper and Charlton Heston’s professionalism. That is what makes the movie worthwhile viewing is. It is one of Cooper’s final movies: cancer would take his life two years later. It is one of many films that Heston made for several decades. It’s rarely shown and should be watched, when it is.